Reading the Bible can initially seem daunting. “Where do I start?” may be the first question you ask yourself.
I remember in my youth, I sat down to read the Bible. But I soon lost interest when I got to Leviticus, a book full with ancient Jewish religious laws. Another problem I had was with the footnotes. I read them meticulously, but they only undermined my faith. They rationalize the miracles or miraculous events or explained how science or archaeology had given us a better understanding. I ended up with less faith in the Bible from my footnote knowledge.
Actually, it was not until I received Jesus in my heart some years later, that I was able to begin to understand what I was reading. My eyes had been opened by faith. Paul tells us: “But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”[1] So that first step of receiving Jesus in your heart is the first step in being able to read the Bible with understanding. Once you personally know the author of the book, it becomes a lot more interesting reading.
You can find various Bible reading programs on-line. I myself tend to read the Psalms through quite frequently. Psalms are actually prayers that were sung. The Psalm prayers are often similar to my own anguish and despair, so I will often find myself reading the comforting words of the Psalms. A Psalm may start out in anguish and despair, but it usually ends in praise and thanksgiving to God. Psalms, therefore, are good positive input and can help us to verbalize our own heartfelt prayers. The one hundred and fifty Psalms can be divided into reading five a day. If it is the 10th day of the month, I’ll read Psalm 10, and then I will add thirty and read Psalm 40. I will continue adding thirty until I have read Psalm 70, Psalm 100 and Psalm 130. That means I have read five Psalms and that can be a good feeding. The next day, the 11th, I'll do the same thing again. I'd read Psalm 11, 41, 71, 101, and 131. If I use this pattern every day, during the course of the month, I will read all the Psalms.
I might also read one Proverb a day as there are thirty-one Proverbs, so one chapter a day goes down well with the day of the month. The Proverbs are full of a collection of good positive antidotes that are good reminders and full of wisdom.
The Gospels are always a joy to read and can be read a few chapters a day. I read them a few times throughout the year as the words of Jesus are so convicting and inspiring. Reading the Gospels helps me to stay close to Jesus and helps keep my life in check. He speaks to me through His recorded words and that often helps me to listen to Him in that still small voice in my heart or through prophecy. Reading three chapters of the Gospels each day, will not do you wrong.
When I was a young Christian, the Bible was about the only book I read for many years. I absorbed it day and night and whenever I had a spare minute. I remember being laughed at and mocked at one of my first jobs because I read the Bible during break time and lunch. But to me it did not matter. I was in love with Jesus and that was all that was important.
In the Old Testament, I tend to read more from Genesis through Job than in the Major or Minor Prophets. In the Major Prophets I will read more from Isaiah and Daniel than from any others. But if you read a few chapters a day you will soon get through the whole Old Testament.
The Epistles make some good study time. Someone has told me that James is the best book for a new Christian to read first. It is certainly a good book. Others say the Gospel of John is the best place to start as John had a very profound understand of Jesus’ message.
Being interested in Bible prophecy, I tend to read sections of the New Testament that have prophecy more than other parts, as I am often sharing those parts in my personal witnessing. The book of Revelation has even a special blessing for those who read, hear and keep the words of its prophecy. So do not neglect it, even if you do not understand all that it means.
Where to read and when to read may be another problem you may face. I find that if I keep my Bible with me or at least a small New Testament, I can use those moments when I am not doing anything to read. I can read while waiting in the car, during lunch break or waiting for an appointment or for my turn at the bank. I like to read for some minutes in the morning, but for me I enjoy reading more at the end of the day before going to bed. I use a highlighter to highlight those verses that I find more important. I use a fine-point pen to mark cross references or write notes in the columns. Some people do not like highlighters because they may go through the page, so some suggest using a yellow grease pencil.
In closing, I would say, you never go wrong reading the Bible. It is food for your soul and will give you strength for the battle. I try to stay away from Bible commentaries and footnotes unless I know I can trust them. Since footnotes are often not trust worthy, it might be best to read a Bible without footnotes. I prefer the 1611 King James’ Version. However, you might choose a more modern version like the New King James’ Version.
When I read, I ask God to help me understand, what He wants me to understand. I often claim the verse, “Open thou my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law."[2] What I do not understand, I put on the shelf of faith and leave for another time. Otherwise, I ask someone I trust and respect, who has more knowledge than I do, to help me understand what I am reading. Delight yourself in God’s Word and it will give you power and light and life and love; all that you need to be victorious in a world full of gloom and doom. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”[3] God bless you as you read and study His Word.
Footnotes:
[1] 1Corinthians 2:14
[2] Psalm 119:18
[3] Romans 10:17
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